What is food poisoning?
Food poisoning comes from eating foods that have been spoiled and contain bad germs like bacteria or toxins. Bacteria is all around us so mild cases of food poisoning is common, you may have had food poisoning before. Foods from animals, raw foods and unwashed vegetables all can contain germs that cause food poisoning. The most high risk is meat, poultry and eggs.
The most common bacteria is Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter and E. Coli.
To avoid food poisoning or getting ill from foods you need to prepare, cook and store them properly. If food is not looked after bacteria may multiply to dangerous levels.
Preparing and storing foods:
You can steer clear of food poisoning by following some simple steps.
Keep raw meat away from ready to eat foods. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Between 5 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius is considered the danger zone.
Raw meats contain food poisoning bugs, if meat touches ready to eat foods such as vegetables , you may be in danger of getting sick.
To prevent this here are a few simple steps:
After handling raw meat, always wash your hands.
Keep raw meat in sealed containers away from ready to eat foods e.g.. If being placed in esky put mean under ready to eat foods.
Don’t put raw meat next to already cooked or partly cooked meats.
Barbequing Foods:
Cooking foods such as pork, sausages, kebabs properly and thoroughly is essential. Make sure that these meats are cooked all the way through until food is very hot all the way through and the juices have run clear.
Make sure:
To wait until the charcoal is red with the powdery grey surface to cook.
Food is thawed properly before cooking.
Turn food often to make sure it is cooking evenly
Check the centre of food to see if it is cooked.